The perfect blend of tone, attack, and body.

Maple's rich, lustrous lows and evenly balanced mid and high frequencies have made it the preferred hardwood for wide sonic range and acoustic balance. Maple is the most accepted premium drum shell material.

Its fine grain and smooth, even texture also make it an excellent canvas for transparent finishes. 

Delivers articulate stroke with shorter, even decay.

A straight grained wood with a fine, even texture, Birch is known for its strength, resilience, and slight tonal temperance (which we have referred to as “Built in EQ”).

It provides a lively interior springboard for sound waves which in turn creates a noticeable increase in the higher frequencies. This makes it the perfect interior for smaller toms. Birch’s tightly bound network of cells also promotes a perfect balance of midrange frequencies with a smooth transition from the lower register to middle register.

Explosive projection and increased volume.

Gum wood has a dense, controlling character. Excelling as a core or interior ply wood, Gum has a straight, shallow grain that interlocks to act as a tone enhancer for the wood plies that surround it.

This makes Maple more punchy, Birch more focused, and Mahogany fatter and more sonically pronounced.

Deep, powerful punch with dark, elegant tone.

African Mahogany is a relatively “soft” hardwood that offers a dramatic boost in lower frequencies.

This bass boost effect is most likely due to its loosely packed cellulose network that creates a natural resonator for powerful lower frequencies.

For a totally personalized sound, Masterworks offers the ability to custom configure a kit down to the wood plies used for the shells. A composite shell, featuring more than one wood, is a great way to blend the characteristics offered by different materials. 

Choose any of Pearl’s Artisan Exotic exterior hardwoods, hand applied carbon fiber, or a thin layer fiberglass for boutique tones and visuals.

(4-ply, 5mm w/ 4-ply Reinforcement Rings) Increased sustain and low end.

(EvenPly-Six, 5.4mm) Expanded tonal purity and resonant punch.

(6-ply, 7.5mm) Full-bodied tonal projection ideal for general purpose.

(8-ply, 10mm and 10-ply, 12.5mm) Maximum projection and quick decay.